Arthur Phillips creates books that are smart and often very funny. He jumps between different time periods and subjects, from chess tournaments to opera houses. His writing is full of clever turns of phrase and his stories can be quite surprising.
If you are drawn to authors with a similar kind of inventiveness, here are some you might like.
Colson Whitehead is an American novelist whose work often blends sharp historical detail with imaginative storytelling. If you enjoy Arthur Phillips’s clever narratives set against rich historical settings, then Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” could be a great find.
This novel follows Cora, a young enslaved woman who escapes from a plantation in Georgia. She hopes for freedom and a fresh start, but her journey north uncovers places both surprising and terrifying.
The book weaves reality with imaginative elements—like portraying the Underground Railroad as an actual railway system beneath the ground.
Whitehead’s novel reveals harsh truths, compelling readers to consider the lasting effects of slavery on individuals, communities, and an entire nation.
David Mitchell is a British novelist known for blending different genres and timelines in innovative ways. If you enjoyed Arthur Phillips’ smart and multi-layered storytelling, you might appreciate Mitchell’s novel “Cloud Atlas.”
This book weaves together six distinct narratives spanning from the 19th century to a distant post-apocalyptic future. Each section features its own unique characters and settings.
From a lawyer aboard a ship in the Pacific to a dystopian Korea controlled by corporations, these stories connect subtly yet powerfully.
Mitchell crafts a narrative that challenges the reader’s perception of time and identity, making “Cloud Atlas” a rewarding read for anyone seeking thoughtful and adventurous fiction.
Readers who enjoy Arthur Phillips may appreciate Hilary Mantel for her smart and immersive historical storytelling. Mantel skillfully brings the past to life with depth, realism, and a clear-eyed view of human nature.
Her novel “Wolf Hall” places readers into the heart of Tudor England. The story follows Thomas Cromwell, a complex character who climbs from humble beginnings to become a trusted advisor to King Henry VIII.
Cromwell’s clever navigation of court intrigues, power struggles, and shifting loyalties reveals the dangerous world behind royal politics. Mantel creates a vivid and nuanced portrait of a man who must balance ambition, survival, and his own conscience.
Julian Barnes is an English author whose novels subtly explore themes of memory, history, and personal relationships, often with an ironic twist similar to that found in Arthur Phillips’s fiction.
In “The Sense of an Ending,” Barnes portrays Tony Webster, a retiree whose peaceful life is disrupted by a letter from his past. This unexpected event forces him to reconsider the reliability of his memory and confront truths he had quietly ignored.
Tony’s reflection unfolds thoughtfully, offering sharp insights into how we rewrite our own histories. Barnes vividly captures the complexity of characters making sense of their past decisions, wrapped in an approachable narrative easily enjoyed by Phillips’s fans.
If you enjoy Arthur Phillips’ blend of wit, sharp observation, and thoughtful storytelling, you might want to pick up a novel by Zadie Smith. Smith is a British novelist known for her captivating characters and insightful social commentary.
Her debut novel, “White Teeth,” explores the intertwined destinies of two families in multicultural London.
Through the lively friendship of Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal, readers are treated to a humorous yet meaningful journey that tackles identity, family expectations, cultural clashes, and generational conflicts in ways that feel real and relatable.
Smith’s writing pulls you into vibrant London neighborhoods, making you laugh and reflect, while showcasing how everyday lives can be pretty extraordinary.
Ian McEwan is a British author known for books that explore morality, relationships, and the human mind. Readers who appreciate Arthur Phillips’s style of intelligent storytelling will likely enjoy “Atonement.”
This book examines the powerful consequences of a single misunderstanding. Set largely around World War II, it follows the story of Briony, a teenager whose mistaken assumption shapes the lives of her older sister and her sister’s love interest forever.
McEwan skillfully portrays guilt, redemption, and the fragile nature of truth, making “Atonement” an absorbing read for fans of thoughtful literary fiction.
If you enjoy Arthur Phillips for his clever storytelling, witty dialogue, and insightful commentary, Jess Walter might also appeal to you.
Walter’s novel “Beautiful Ruins” weaves together parallel stories in vibrant settings, from the Italian coastline of 1962 to modern-day Hollywood.
The book follows Pasquale, a young Italian innkeeper, and Dee Moray, a mysterious American actress, whose lives intersect briefly and yet profoundly. Walter effortlessly connects different eras and characters through humor, romance, and sharp cultural observations.
If the blending of past and present drew you into Phillips’ “Prague” or “The Egyptologist,” Jess Walter’s “Beautiful Ruins” could certainly hold your attention.
Donna Tartt is an American novelist known for her smart storytelling and rich, detailed plots. If you enjoyed Arthur Phillips’ thoughtful approach, you may find similar depth in Tartt’s novel, “The Secret History.”
This gripping story follows a tight-knit group of classics students at a small Vermont college who become entangled in tragedy and dark secrets. Tartt examines themes of obsession, morality, and guilt with skill and nuance, maintaining suspense throughout the novel.
Her vivid characters and thoughtful prose will keep readers engaged until the final page.
Readers who enjoy the thoughtful narratives and emotional depth in Arthur Phillips’s novels may also appreciate the work of Nicole Krauss.
Krauss is known for exploring themes of memory, loss, and identity through careful storytelling that weaves across different timelines and characters.
In her novel “The History of Love,” she tells the parallel stories of Leo Gursky, an elderly Polish immigrant living in New York, and Alma Singer, a young girl named after a character in a beloved book.
As their lives unknowingly connect through a mysterious manuscript, readers are drawn into a moving tale of past secrets and human connection. Krauss delivers a rich, character-driven narrative filled with warmth and poignant reflection.
If you enjoy Arthur Phillips’ combination of psychological depth and subtle mystery, you’ll probably connect well with Haruki Murakami. Murakami is a Japanese novelist known for blending reality with elements of fantasy and surrealism.
His book “Kafka on the Shore” captures readers with its dual storyline: a teenage runaway named Kafka Tamura who searches for meaning and identity, and an elderly man named Nakata who has the peculiar ability to speak to cats.
Their parallel journeys cross boundaries of dreams, reality, and perception, leading readers through unexpected events and intriguing characters. Murakami’s informal style and imaginative narratives often leave readers thinking about the story long after finishing the last page.
Readers who enjoy Arthur Phillips might also appreciate Margaret Atwood. Atwood is a versatile Canadian author known for weaving thought-provoking themes into engaging narratives.
Her novel “The Blind Assassin” is a richly-layered story that intertwines mystery, family secrets, and historical events. Set in twentieth-century Canada, the book follows two sisters, Iris and Laura Chase, whose complex relationship reveals hidden truths over time.
Blending elements of fiction within fiction, Atwood creates suspense that keeps readers turning the pages. Anyone intrigued by Phillips’ skillful storytelling and subtle psychological depth may find Margaret Atwood’s “The Blind Assassin” equally satisfying.
Kazuo Ishiguro is an author known for his thoughtful storytelling and subtle emotional depth. Fans of Arthur Phillips who enjoy nuanced characters and layered narratives might appreciate Ishiguro’s novel “The Remains of the Day”.
The book centers on Stevens, a dedicated English butler who reflects on his long career and service to his previous employer, Lord Darlington.
Through Stevens’ quiet and measured recollections, readers explore questions of duty, dignity, and regret during a transformative period in British history.
The story gently unfolds, revealing the butler’s personal and professional choices and casting a changing light upon the past.
Ishiguro uses this careful exploration to examine broader themes like loyalty and morality, crafting a story that lingers with you long after finishing the final page.
Jonathan Franzen is an American novelist known for his sharp wit and thorough exploration of complex family relationships. Readers who appreciate Arthur Phillips’s intelligent narratives and nuanced characters might similarly enjoy Franzen’s book, “The Corrections.”
In this novel, Franzen portrays the Lambert family, a seemingly typical Midwestern household burdened by secrets, anxieties, and strained relationships.
As the parents age and the children grapple with adulthood, the story examines themes of identity, responsibility, and the pressures of modern life with humor and insight.
Franzen’s ability to mix biting satire with genuine emotional depth echoes Phillips’s approach in making sharp observations about human nature and society.
Readers who enjoy Arthur Phillips might appreciate the work of A.S. Byatt. Her novel “Possession” blends historical mystery, romance, and literary intrigue. Two modern-day literary scholars, Roland Michell and Maud Bailey, uncover hidden letters between two Victorian poets.
Driven by scholarly curiosity and personal passion, they become entangled with these poets’ lives and secrets. “Possession” draws readers into a world of poetic discovery, hidden affairs, and parallel stories spanning different periods.
Byatt expertly combines past and present, exploring themes of love, literary obsession, and historical secrets.
Jennifer Egan is an author known for her sharp prose and inventive storytelling style. Readers who enjoy Arthur Phillips’ smart narratives and layered characters will find plenty to appreciate in Egan’s work.
In her award-winning novel “A Visit from the Goon Squad,” Egan takes readers through interwoven lives shaped by culture, music, and time.
The book unfolds across various eras— from the punk rock scene of 1970s San Francisco to an imagined future filled with questions about technology and connection.
Each chapter features a different character whose story intersects with others in subtle and surprising ways, creating a portrait of lives marked by ambition, regret, redemption, and change.
Her storytelling delivers vivid, unforgettable characters navigating fame, friendship, love, and loss.